Article excerpt

A three-year, statewide study of 10,002 preschoolers from low-
income families has shown a good education before kindergarten
vastly improves a child's ability to learn.

Youngsters who aren't given the opportunity to socialize and
learn from other children in a classroom setting quickly fall
behind, said Dr. Stephen Bagnato, a University of Pittsburgh
professor of pediatrics and psychology. He conducted the study,
which was supported by a $1 million grant from The Heinz Endowments.

"By the time they go to kindergarten, they're a year and a half
behind their friends," Bagnato said during a news conference
Thursday to announce the results.

The study focused on children enrolled in Pre-K Counts classrooms
-- a Pennsylvania Department of Education program for children ages
3 to kindergartners.

Bagnato said one major indicator of the value of pre-K education
can be found in the number of children who are enrolled in special-
education programs upon entering school.

Among "high-risk" low-income children, the rate historically has
been 18 percent placement in special-education programs; but among
children in the 21 schools districts participating in the Pre-K
Counts program and examined by the study, the figure was only 2
percent. …